Chapter 26

“So the rehearsal is at 5 pm, I need you both to be well-rested by then,” Jake announced as we were waiting for our room keys. He had booked an entire resort for us and we had helped both their families settle in before we could head to our respective rooms. I was feeling tired and dizzy already.

“Sure, dude,” Austin replied, placing his arms around my shoulder lazily while Ashley raised her eyebrows. I was yet to tell her everything about us but she already got the hint from our last visit to their house. Austin couldn’t keep his hands off me and we couldn’t get time to talk with all the wedding planning.

“So are you guys sharing a room?” she asked with a sly look on her face.

“Uhhh...yeah,” I shrugged like it was not a big deal. She mouthed the words ‘Oh my god’, winking at me in a suggestive manner. I shook my head, with a small smile and rested my head against his chest.

“Where is Jane?” Austin asked as his hands went lower to my waist, pulling me closer, instantly widening my smile.

“She is with my mom, sleeping. You kept her up all night in the plane, Austin.” Ashley replied, letting out a small chuckle. He was so in love with that kid that it made me feel a bit jealous.

“Right,” he scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. I felt my eyes drooping and he looked down at me, “You okay, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, I’m just sleepy.” I yawned and he kissed the side of my head, his lips lingering for a bit longer than usual. Once we got our keys, we made our way towards our room and I fell on the huge king-sized bed in an instant. I could feel my body dip and sighed in content. God, It felt like heaven. I balanced my weight on my elbows and saw Austin, carrying our luggage inside. I could see his arms flexing which made him look so fucking sexy. Uhhh...If only I wasn’t tired. I fell back on the bed and was fast asleep before I could know it.

I felt someone nudging me and I groaned, not wanting to wake up. I slowly blinked my eyes open to see a huge glass door to the left, overlooking the beach. I could see the blue crystal clear water and hear the sound of waves, lapping the shores that were like music to my ears. Wow, it was so beautiful. I smiled and rolled over to see Austin, already dressed up in a black suit, looking sexy as usual. I jumped from the bed, panicking that it was already tomorrow morning.

“Fuck, how long have I been asleep? What time is it?”

“Relax, it’s 4 pm. You have an hour to get ready for the rehearsal,” he replied, fixing his cuff links and I sighed in relief, rubbing my eyes. I took a good look at the room for the first time and noticed that it was really huge for two people. Everything looked posh and classy. I forget how rich these guys are sometimes. I shook my head and finally got out of the bed. I decided to unpack my luggage but found my clothes, neatly arranged in the wardrobe.

“Aww, you unpacked my stuff?” I asked as I walked over towards him, wrapping my arms around his neck. He smelled fresh and his hair looked damp from the shower.

“Yeah, your weird quirks are rubbing off on me,” he stated, making me smile.

“Well, I guess that’s a good thing,”

“That it is, now get your stinky ass in the shower,” he smacked my ass, making me gasp from shock and pleasure.

“I’m not stinking,” I pouted as released myself from him and walked towards the bathroom. He twirled me around, pulling me flush to his chest.

“Just kidding, sweetheart. Your scent is my personal favorite,” He nuzzled his face, against my neck, making me giggle.

“Okay, enough, loverboy. I need to get ready.” I pushed him aside and ran towards the bathroom. After scrubbing and cleaning myself, I came out of the shower in a towel and found him all dressed, going through his phone with a focused look on his face.

“I thought this was a vacation,” I glared at him, knowing that he was clearly checking his mails. He gave me a sheepish grin and continued to go through his phone. I rolled my eyes and started to get dressed. I wore a red floor-length gown that had thin straps and was backless. I quickly started wearing my makeup, keeping it light with just some blush, mascara, and red lipstick. I felt him behind me, his hands on my bare back which made my breath hitch. He pulled out my hair from my bun, looking at me through the mirror.

“Fuck...You look so beautiful,” he whispered, sending shivers down my spine. He brushed my hair to one side, placing wet kisses on my neck.

“Austin, we are going to be late.” I breathed out but pushed myself back to feel more of his rock hard body. He hummed in response, continuing his sweet torture, “It’s already late,” I pushed him away with all my will and started working on my hair.

“Let’s be late just this once,” he said with a cute irresistible smile.

“You always make late, we have all night, Mr.CEO.” I winked and continued to brush my hair. He sighed, placing a small kiss on my cheek and went to collect his things.

“I’m ready,” I stated and turned around. He trailed his eyes all over my body with a small smile on his lips. He didn’t say anything for a long time and I frowned at silence.

“What? Do I look bad? You just said I looked beautiful,” I pouted while he laughed at my reaction.

“You look breathtaking as usual,” he smiled, pushing a strand of hair from my face, “God, I can’t believe that you are all mine,” he said, looking straight into my eyes, making my heart beat fast. I could see so much love in those hazel brown eyes. I wanted him to be vocal about it but seeing it, in those gorgeous eyes was more than enough for me. I swallowed hard, choking back my emotions, and cleared my throat.

“That I am,” I smirked, smacking his ass, walking past him. I heard him chuckle behind me before grabbing me by my waist.

The entire rehearsal was outdoors, away from the resort which went by smoothly and everyone settled down to have dinner. Austin and I were playing with Jane who was wide awake now. Jake and Ashley were conversing with their parents and cousins. They didn’t invite many people, just the ones who were important and close. Few people were yet to come and they would be arriving tomorrow for the ceremony directly. Jane started to cry and I looked up to see Austin, having a clueless look on his face.

“Check her diaper,” I chuckled and he went pale.

“Di--diaper, that’s mommy’s job,” he panicked, making me roll my eyes. I took her from him and checked her diaper to see that I was indeed wet.

“I’ll take her, Em.” Ashley was about to get up from her seat.

“No way, this is one of my maid of honor duties, give me the bag,” I replied and she shook her head, with a small smile. I took the bag from her and made my way towards the washroom with Jane. After cleaning her up, I placed the bag on my shoulder and went outside with Jane, who had stopped crying now. I smiled at her, kissing both of her chubby cheeks as she looked up at me with those adorable doe eyes.

“She is all cleaned up,” I smiled at Ashley and sat down. That’s when I noticed some new people at our table.

“Em, this is Claire and Maria. They work with me at the publishing house,” Ashley introduced me to two women. Claire was in her mid-forties with brown hair that was neatly tucked in her bun and hazel brown eyes that looked so familiar. Maria was a bit younger than Claire with silver-white hair that was pin straight, framing her face elegantly and her sparkling blue eyes, twinkled as she smiled at me.

“So nice to meet you, when did you guys arrive?” I smiled at them warmly when I felt Austin gripping my thighs under the table. I tried to keep my focus on the conversation, ignoring his hand.

Oh god, I hope he doesn't try something now.

“Just now, dear. Our flight was delayed and we didn’t want to miss the dinner,” Claire spoke when Austin stood up from his seat and stormed off, knocking his chair in the process. Jane was startled by his sudden movement and started to cry.

“Shhh, it’s okay, baby.” I tried to pacify her when Ashley came over to my side.

“She must be hungry. What happened to him?” she whispered, taking Jane from my arms.

“No idea, he looked fine when I went to the washroom.” I had a confused look on my face as I looked in the direction he stormed off.

“Better go check on him, Em.” I nodded and lifted my dress, excusing myself. I went to look for him but found him nowhere in sight. I made my way inside the resort and found him drinking at the open bar. I walked towards him, pissed out of my mind.

“What the hell Austin? Why did you leave like that? You scared Jane,” I hissed, trying to keep my voice down. I saw him grinding his teeth and the veins in his neck were popping out. He looked so damn angry and I couldn’t understand why.

“Leave me the fuck alone, Emma,” he said in a low voice and grabbed the bottle, walking away from me.

Leave you alone? No fucking way.